Dodgers' Puig a raw but tantalizing prospect

March 4, 2013

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

1 of 1

Dodgers prospect Yasiel Puig is congratulated by pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu during a split-squad game Friday. Puig has turned some heads with his performance so far this spring. KEVIN SULLIVAN, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Dodgers prospect Yasiel Puig is congratulated by pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu during a split-squad game Friday. Puig has turned some heads with his performance so far this spring. KEVIN SULLIVAN, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

YASIEL PUIG

Born: Dec. 7, 1990 Cienfuegos, Cuba

Bats: R; Throws: R

Ht.: 6-3; Wt.: 245

Year, team

G

HR

RBI

BA/OBP/Slug

2008-09 Cuban Series

NA

5

26

.276/NA/NA

2010-11 Cuban Series

89

17

47

.330/.430/.581

2012 AZL Dodgers

9

4

11

.400/.500/1.000

2012 Rancho Cucamonga

15

1

4

.327.407/.423

2012-13 Puerto Rico Winter

20

1

9

.232/.308/.333

2013 Cactus League

9

1

5

.421/.400/.700

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Earlier this spring, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly talked about how unwise it is to be seduced by Cactus League statistics or read too much into spring performances.

So it wasn't surprising that he wouldn't be drawn into the danger zone Sunday when a reporter jokingly asked where 22-year-old Cuban phenom Yasiel Puig would bat in the Dodgers' opening day lineup. Puig hit his first home run of the spring Sunday, a three-run laser over the left field wall

"Don't even get started," Mattingly said with a laugh. "I knew this was coming.

"It's just fun watching him play with that energy. Anything is possible, but I'm not going to go into hypotheticals."

The likelihood is that the 22-year-old Puig will play his way onto the Dodgers' Double-A roster – not their season-opening lineup – by April 1. But Dodgers GM Ned Colletti acknowledged that Puig has indeed been exciting to watch while batting .421 (8 for 19) with three doubles, that home run and five RBI in his first major-league camp. The early-spring performance has made it obvious why the Dodgers gave Puig a seven-year, $42 million contract last summer after he defected from Cuba. But Colletti cautioned that the young outfielder will face a much tougher test this spring when pitchers start to gear up for the season.

"Whatever happened from the time we signed him until now, it was going to be most interesting to see what he's looked like here," said Colletti of Puig, who saw limited action in rookie league, Class-A and winter ball since signing with the Dodgers last summer. "You've gotta like how he plays. He plays all out, all the time. He has a plus-arm, plus-speed, plus-power and he's showing a pretty good approach at the plate right now.

"As the spring goes on and he starts to face pitchers who are going to make their big-league pitching staffs, veterans that are going to get more refined and are looking to do more than just build up arm strength, that will be another chapter to see."

It's not only Puig's swing that has been short and sweet this spring. Asked if he felt he was accomplishing what he hoped to in his first major-league spring camp, Puig had a one-word answer.

"Si," he said with a smile, no need for former major-league reliever (and fellow Cuban) Eddie Oropesa, who has been hired by the Dodgers to serve as Puig's mentor and translator.

Through Oropesa, Puig admitted to being a little nervous when he first got to spring training because "there are so many good players here." He dodged any questions about his chances to jump from Class-A to the majors.

"I'm preparing here in spring training to be the best I can be," Puig said. "The coaches will decide where I'll play and if I'll be in the big leagues.

"I want to play hard every day. Whatever happens, that's the coach's decision. I'm going to be ready whatever they decide. ... I want to get better every day – running the bases, getting better at whatever the coaches think I have to get better at."

Puig said working with Dodgers hitting coach Mark McGwire has been "an honor" – Puig knew of McGwire in Cuba as one of the best power hitters in major-league history. McGwire has been working on getting Puig to stay back and not over-commit or jump at the ball. The young Cuban said he has found pitchers in the United States to be smarter and throw harder with more pitches than he was used to facing in Cuba.

Tempting as Puig's upside and "exuberance" (to use Colletti's word) might be to the Dodgers, the GM pointed out how little experience he has against that caliber of pitching. Puig had fewer than 100 plate appearances in rookie league and Class-A after signing last year.

"He needs at-bats," Colletti said. "He needs to play."

CRAWFORD OPTIMISM

The anti-inflammatory medication prescribed to address the nerve irritation in Carl Crawford's left arm must be working. The outfielder told Mattingly he was feeling better almost immediately after his visit to Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles last week and was looking to shorten his time on restricted activity. Crawford is not expected to start throwing or swinging a bat again until the middle of this week at the earliest.

"We have to protect Carl from Carl," Mattingly said of keeping Crawford from pushing too hard in his recovery from Tommy John surgery last August.

At the start of spring training, Colletti said he had no reason to think Crawford couldn't be ready by opening day. Things changed with last week's setback and opening day now seems an unlikely target for Crawford's return. But Colletti wouldn't totally write off the possibility.

"He gives us every indication he's going to work very hard to be ready for opening day," Colletti said. "In fact in some cases, he's worked too hard (perhaps leading to the nerve irritation).

"He's putting in the work. After that, it's healing and nature that will take its own time and its own pace."

NOTES

Right-hander Aaron Harang threw in a simulated game in the Dodgers' minor-league camp Monday. Scouts from the Brewers and Orioles were reportedly on hand to watch. Harang has emerged as the most likely trade candidate from the Dodgers' surplus of starting pitchers. ... Matt Kemp could make his debut in the field Tuesday when the Dodgers play the Padres. Kemp is 0 for 5 at DH in his first two spring games. ... Right-hander Zack Greinke did not throw his scheduled bullpen session Sunday because of soreness in his forearm. Greinke is still expected to make his scheduled start Wednesday.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.